ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 2915 COMMON ST.
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 25, 2017
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
12
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, LLC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
13.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 64th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
42
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day13.6 min
Ranks better than about 64% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends5.9%
Ranks better than about 25% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life96%
Ranks better than about 70% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits16.9%
Ranks better than about 91% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care8%
Ranks better than about 39% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months32%
Ranks better than about 63% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care20%
Ranks better than about 7% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice8%
Ranks better than about 3% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$18,699 · 54th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 83.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life83.4%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia32%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in Lake Charles
St Joseph Hospice of Southwest Louisiana serves families in Lake Charles. They provide end of life care services to support patients and their loved ones. This provider maintains accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group sets high standards for safety and care quality. They have served the community since 2017. Their team works to meet medical needs during a difficult time. Getting the right care matters. Families in Calcasieu County often look for providers with this level of oversight. The staff focuses on comfort and symptom management for every person they help.
About ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, LLC
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare since October 2017. Being accredited by the Joint Commission is a big sign of quality. These experts visit agencies to check their work against national goals. They look at how staff handles medication and patient safety. That is why accreditation matters. It proves the agency meets high benchmarks beyond just basic rules. You should know that their team includes four registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have a physician on staff to oversee medical plans. A small team can offer personal attention. This agency has twelve employees total. They aim to provide consistent support for patients in their homes. You can ask them about their specific care plans during your first meeting.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in LAKE CHARLES?
Hospice care in Lake Charles focuses on comfort and quality of life. It does not aim to cure an illness. Instead, the team manages pain and other difficult symptoms for the patient. They come to where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. The staff includes nurses, doctors, and aides. They work together to create a plan that fits the patient. Some days involve check-ins from nurses. Other days involve help with daily tasks from aides. The main goal is to keep the patient calm and comfortable. Families often find that having a team nearby makes daily life easier. You can expect regular visits to monitor changes. Most agencies in this area provide support around the clock. They answer questions whenever you have them. This helps families feel more secure during their time together.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens at night. You also want to know how the team handles pain management. Ask about their weekend and holiday availability. It is also good to ask how they communicate with the patient's primary doctor. You need to know that the team will keep that doctor in the loop. Ask how they help families with emotional support. Some agencies have volunteers or chaplains for this purpose. Find out how many patients each nurse typically visits in a day. A smaller caseload often means more time for your specific needs. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on their services. Getting clear answers helps you make the best choice for your loved one.
Preserve Family Memories
Your family has a unique story that deserves to be remembered for years to come.
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